RyanT's Build Diary & Introduction (with 'bonus' MX5 content)

[RyanT]

Good morning all,

 

Right, I thought I'd get this kicked off with a brief introduction (apologies in advance for the wall of text) -

 

A bit about me, I'm 24 and currently working as a graduate engineer within a global engineering company, I've always been into enthusiast-type cars as I'm the type of person that always needs an outlet project or something to tinker with/care for, else I get terribly bored.

 

Now, I've been lusting for a 350z for over 10 years since I was 13... Why? Well, like many young boys of that time I was obsessed with Need for Speed Underground on my Xbox, I can't even begin to imagine how many hours I spent playing that game.

 

In that game, I had two cars which I adored above all others - The first was an MX5 Mk2 which one of the cars available to you when you first start the game. Then, eventually as you progressed the 350Z became available.. This was the beast that you could eventually beat the game with, I loved it.

 

 

 

Fast forward 6 years and I'm in a position to buy my first car and I think, how cool would if 'grown up' me is able to follow the same path that 13 year old me longed over. Although hopefully this time with less neons, tacky dragon vinyl graphics and spoilers!

 

So, out I went out and bought an MX5 MK2.

 

I've owned it for 5 years and it's been nothing but faultless. During that time I turned it from a 'hairdressers car' into a real track & b-road toy. It really was far more capable on track than it had any right to be, there really is nothing more addictive than hassling expensive exotic cars in £2000 worth of 15 year old Mazda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here's a picture from when I briefly entertained the whole 'stancey' thing a few years back. Although that didn't last for long.

 

 

However, as amazing as it was - It's been 5 odd years now, and in that time I've gone from being a university student to an actual adult with a job and everything. Plus nowadays (unfortunately) I spend 99.9% of my driving life up and down the M5 rather than a track or down a twisty B-road, which the MX5 is obviously not ideal for. So a 350Z is my idea of a 'sensible' compromise.

 

Here's it's build diary if anyone's' interested.

 

I thought finding a 350 would be easy, it's not exactly a super rare car right? Well it didn't work out that way - You'd go on Autotrader and see 120 odd cars UK wide, brilliant! But then > 20 are automatics, 20 are imports > 20 are convertibles > 10 are CAT D's/C's > 10 are in the northern most Isles of Scotland.. so on and so forth..

 

Furthermore, I was after quite a specific type of car. As I actively enjoy working on cars I wanted an example which I could actively improve throughout my ownership. Then I can be sure that any such work I undertake on the car is done properly and to a good standard.

 

After months and months of searching and lots of test drives I found the one in London. A very well loved 2005 GT pack, P/X from a main Nissan dealer, One owner from new, with full Nissan service history. Perfect! It has 94k which is about average for the age, plus it really did drive better than pretty much every other example I tested.

 

So after first driving up and seeing it last weekend (and after the longest week at work ever....) I hopped on a train on Friday and went to pick it up!

 

... and already I absolutely love it.

 

Here's some pictures when I got it home:

 

 

 

(...not me!)

 

The only non-standard items I can see are the 'Z' centre caps, and the 'Z' front/rear badges, oh and these Nismo oil/rad caps - But all the original items they replaced came with the car also which is nice and a good indication of the calibre of the previous owner.

 

I'm well aware you've all seen a stock Z before, but I always like to include pictures to provide a reference from which I can always look back over the development of this thread!

 

Current plans are to get it perfect in it's current state before changing anything... It is due a major service and I want to address all of the 350's known 'weaknesses'.

 

Then... who knows! Although every minute I read this forum my wish-list gets longer and longer!

 

Anyway, nice to meet you all. I'm looking forward to getting involved and contributing to the forum over the coming years, it seems like another really good community!

Edited February 28, 2015 by RyanT

[martybhoy]

Lovely zed and you done some great work with your mx5.

 

Hope you enjoy catching zeditis haha

[GMballistic]

MX5 not my thing but still look's like you did a good job on it.

 

Nice Zed Ryan & definitely a good starting point for any future mods. Must say I do like your test driver for the Zed btw, ..she's lovely.

 

Hope the Zed treats you well.

[Mopedmark]

along

[ChrisB]

Good start - I'm sure yours will be a good build thread.. we all like a nice build thread on here

 

Your recent post on your Mx5 thread ..uh oh..

[GMballistic]

Good start - I'm sure yours will be a good build thread.. we all like a nice build thread on here

 

Your recent post on your Mx5 thread ..uh oh..

Always good to end Top Gear style, "..and on that bombshell".

[RyanT]

Thanks everyone! Like I said I'm really looking forward to getting involved and contributing to the forum.

 

Although please don't judge that contribution with this next update, which possibly may be the dullest start to a build thread ever!

 

...However, it addresses one of my pet hates - That 90's yellow glow from all of the interior lighting!

 

Luckily it can all be sorted by these awesome SMD panels which are absurdly bright and a doddle to fit as they use the existing connection:

 

 

 

A comparison - That's more like it! Plus it's so bright it actually casts a shadow on things in the cabin!

 

Same thing in the boot:

 

 

 

It fits, just!

 

 

 

Then onto the hazed lights - From:

 

 

To...

 

 

Much better! However that indicator bulb is irritating me, a silvered one is on order!

 

Apologies about the dull-update, it'll get better I promise!

 

EDIT: Ah those pictures are far too big - Any way to reduce their size?

Edited December 14, 2014 by RyanT

[GMballistic]

Pictures look fine to me Ryan (on my Laptop).

 

Bulbs are usual one of the easiest & first things to mod. I know I did it not that long into my Zed ownership.

 

You might also want to replace the number plate light bulbs & sidelight bulbs, both 501 capless types so LED's can be used again for a more modern look. Also if you are doing the front indicator bulbs you could always do the rears too for the complete set.

[HAMLNJ]

Hi mate.your not far from me if you fancy a mini meet. Have you got a link to those LEDs you bought?

[RyanT]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

 

Good shout GMballistic, got some silvered indicator bulbs on order for the front and rear as I hate the way they look through a clear lens!

 

@HAMLNJ, ah that's good to know! Absolutely as I love the drive up through Cheddar as well. The LED's... I actually sell then through eBay for MX5 interior lights - But it just turns out you can use them almost anywhere! Although if you want them, give me a PM and I'll do them essentially at cost for a fellow forum member! (Mods, if this isn't OK please feel free to delete!)

 

Righto, as it's the Christmas holidays it's time to crack on - And in the spirit of this threas also becoming a 'virtual service history'...

 

'P3' Full Service + More @ 94,860 Miles (23/12/14)

 

Engine oil and filter, air filter, gearbox oil & molyslip additive, full coolant flush/change, brake fluid flush/change, new numberplates to replace the current faded ones and nice clean minimal looking aerotwin wipers.

 

Getting the supplies in:

 

 

And an expensive trip to the local Nissan dealer for the coolant and gearbox oil!

 

 

 

As always, it takes the most time just getting the thing up in the air!

 

 

In the end I decided against the Bosch oil filter and went for a Nissan one as it comes with the proper crush washer which I promtly put on the new magnetic sump plug washer...

 

 

All drained and in place:

 

 

Which is where I discovered first hand how useless the dipstick is!

 

 

Obviously the airfilter is so easy to change... I can't believe dealerships can charge so much - But from the looks of it the air filter was well due a change:

 

 

Which almost made up for the gearbox oil (and Molyslip) change, which was a really horrid job. Somewhat annoyingly the oil that came out of the gearbox was lovely and golden, so probably didn't actually need to be changed...

 

 

Although that said, the change afterwards has improved and it's ridden the slight notchyness between 1st and 2nd. Whether that's due to the Molyslip or the fresh oil I don't know. It a joy to shift now!

 

Then ending off the day with the brake fluid change, which took much longer than I was used to as I've never had a car with twin bleed-nipples per caliper before!

 

 

It was also a good chance to inspect the Brembo's pads/disks, all of which look good - Again somewhat annoyingly as I was itching for an excuse to fit drilled/slotted discs!

 

 

Old vs. new numberplates...

 

 

After that was all done, of course it was an excuse for a celebratory drive just to check everything was OK!

 

But not before filling up and making the most of my clubcard discount on lovely Momentum - That's what we like to see!

 

 

However, before burning through all of that I was back in the garage as there was work to be getting on with.

 

Like almost all others, this one suffers from scratches on the interior plastics. After copious reading it turns out that Halfords offer an enamel rubberised paint which is almost a perfect match to the original finish..

 

Stupidly I didn't a before photo, but it wasn't so dissimilar to this (thanks Google):

 

 

 

After a good rub-down with a scotch-pad, which seemed perfect to ensure the plastics are keyed without rubbing off the plastics dimples - Then, lots of very thin coats of this lovely stuff:

 

 

After which you should end up with this...

 

 

I'm absolutely delighted with how it looks, plus the finish is very hardy and non-chip. (Please excuse the sandy car!)

 

Oh and also an alcantara gaiter courtasy of eBay's Topgaiters which I'd recommend to anyone!

 

...Finally, the gearknob was a bit grotty - But I never liked aftermarket metal knobs as they always seem to be either too hot/cold to touch. So, in an effort to restore the original one out came the sandpaper and leather restorer.

 

Going from this...

 

 

To this..

 

 

Not quite finished but much better!

 

Then to celebrate after a couple of days of hard work - A good blast to Fistral beach!

 

 

(Which you may notice is in exactly the same spot as the MX5 in the first picture in this thread. It's a bit of a 'right of passage' for my cars!)

 

I really do love this car and in fact I find you 'bond' even more with a car after working on it.

 

... More to come in the near future - I'm intent on getting this lovely car as good as it can be!

Edited March 28, 2015 by RyanT

[GMballistic]

Great work Ryan.

[ChrisB]

Good care being applied

 

If you don't already know, rather than using Nissan for OEM fluids, a lot of us use forum traders Clark Motorsports and Zmanalex They do mail order for less money - although holiday week crimps that a bit

[glrnet]

"It was also a good chance to inspect the Brembo's pads/disks, all of which look good - Again somewhat annoyingly as I was itching for an excuse to fit drilled/slotted discs!"

 

You don't need an excuse, you officially have Zeditis.

[HAMLNJ]

Looking good! Need to do the same service soon

[Keyser]

along - Great start you have made there mate

[pjf1985]

Very nice Ryan! Will be following your updates. What plans do you have on the horizon?

[WhackyWill]

Welcome to The Land of Zed.

 

Nice build thread.

[Bodyboarder81]

Some great little mods going on , well done

 

Do your LEDs also fit the rear number plate lights ?

 

If so ill send you a pm and buy the interior / plate LEDs off you for , as its something I keep meaning to do ,

 

Thanks

[ZMANALEX]

to the forum.

[Adrian@TORQEN]

Good start, Ryan, welcome to the forum!

 

What are your plans regarding the power and handling?

 

Adrian

[Cal]

Centre console came out great, good work. Did you do the door trims to match?

[RyanT]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

Good start, Ryan, welcome to the forum!

 

What are your plans regarding the power and handling?

 

Adrian

 

Very nice Ryan! Will be following your updates. What plans do you have on the horizon?

 

Thanks chaps! Ah well that's a good question... To be honest I'm still a bit overwhelmed with everything available for the Z. So I'm going to spend a bit of time just getting the car in 'factory fresh' condition, although with each thread I read on here I can see things getting more and more expensive!

 

Well, the stock power still scares me - I don't think I'm going to grow tired of it any time soon (famous last words!)

 

Centre console came out great, good work. Did you do the door trims to match?

 

Yeah I did, I'm so pleased with the finish. For £8 worth of paint and a bit of elbow-grease it's a no brainier!

 

A brief update...

 

Right, following the well worn path I've done the aux input mod which was an enjoyable job! Although I was terrified of scratching my newly painted plastics when taking the radio out...

 

 

It works!

 

 

The mod works really well, however - With a £15 box of magic from Amazon you can turn a great mod into something fantastic!

 

 

Which is ridiculously tiny:

 

 

 

So now you have high quality wireless music with the OEM headunit for less than £20, Brilliant! Now I've just got to figure out how best to hard-wire it in.

 

Next, I moved to the next area of the car which needs improvement...

 

The leather dye on the drivers seat bottom cushion had worn, as seen in this photo:

 

 

However it was just the colouring which had gone, as the leather in those areas was perfect. So, after placing an order with Gliptone, we get the following:

 

 

They provide you with an exact colour match for your leather, which can be applied in many ways - I used the sponge..

 

...Which, completely restores the leather to it's factory condition:

 

 

I've still got to treat the leather further with the shampoo & conditioner, but you've got to wait for a while after dying the seats - So it should look even better shortly.

 

Anyway, that's me done for now, thanks for reading!

Edited March 28, 2015 by RyanT

[RyanT]

Right, time for a long overdue update! For a start the majority of this post happened a fair while ago, but just not had a chance to properly write it all up!

 

First and foremost, I still adore the car. In the short few months I've had it I've already covered 5k+ miles and it's been absolutely faultless. Hopefully this mileage will subside soon as I'll be able to car-share to work.

 

When I bought the car, I knew it had some of the classic Z common issues which I was looking forward to sorting. Most of them have already been addressed, but now was time to get the last of them.. As well as do another mini-service... By this point I think I've replaced almost every 'consumable' service item possible, so it's as mechanically sound as can be, which means I can move onto the more EXCITING STUFF!

 

Spark Plugs, Aux Belts, Fuel Damper, Rear Axle Greasing $ Under-Body Inspection @ 98,840 Miles (Carried out 06/03/15)

 

I know I've banged on here about how much I love working on cars myself, and true as that may be... I have been known to to get the professionals involved if I'm feeling lazy and it's a particularly rainy day (that's my excuse anyway!).

 

So, I booked the car in with Mark @ Penarth MX5.. MX5's you ask?! What's he doing working on a 350Z? Well, Mark was the only person I'd trust working on the Mazda and now I've come into Nissan ownership I see no reason to change that. But best of all he'll let you help out and work on the car also, which is great fun! (Plus he's hourly charge is very reasonable...)

 

Getting all the supplies in,

 

 

Can you believe Nissan want £170 for one of these? Thanks to our ZMANALEX for sorting out a much more reasonable price!

 

 

First up thank-you to all the guides on this forum, they made everything so easy..

 

After the initial berating for selling my MX5 for a 'Datsun' I could tell he soon starting warming to it...

 

 

This was during a brief break I was allowed, before being told off for slacking!

 

 

The old plugs...

 

 

They had been changed by Nissan at 55k, they don't look too bad here but certainly were worth replacing - You can see they have degraded fairly significantly compared to the new ones:

 

 

With those changed, we moved onto the rear drive axles. Mine weren't exhibiting the really bad clicking that I've read about on here, but I thought it was worth doing as a precautionary measure.

 

 

As expected, these really weren't torqued up very tightly - Which from what I've read is a contributing factor to the axles becoming dry & noisy.

 

Again, after recommendations on here I bought some lovely high quality Lucas heavy duty grease and with my trusty paint brush packed as much grease onto the splines as humanly possible!

 

 

Half way through, thought I'd get an underbody shot.. For a car which is 9/10 years old I can't believe how clean it looks underneath. Maybe that's just because I come from MX5 ownership and they are normally rotten by this point!

 

 

Oh and also whipped out the MAF and gave it a good clean:

 

 

Unfortunately at this point, my phone died - So the pictures stopped. But I'm sure you can use your imagination to how it all looked! Everything went smoothly, the car really is a joy to work on (even the fuel damper) which is no where near as bad to change as I'd read!

 

A big thanks to Mark, excellent work as always!

 

I'm not sure if it's placebo but the car did feel to accelerate and advance through the revs more smoothly.. However, something that isn't placebo is my improvement in MPG! Before the service I'd get about 29.8 - 31.8 average on my commute to and from work.. But look what I've averaged at over the past few days, amazing:

 

 

This car never ceases to impress me!

 

Well, by this point I'd addressed all the mechanical points and servicing with the car, so onto the sexier stuff!

 

First up was the flip key, which I'd wanted to do for ages as I couldn't handle having a van/Micra key for something as gorgeous as a Z!

 

 

 

 

But what now then? Well I'm afraid it seems as though I've completely followed the crowd when it's come to my modifications.. But that's got to be for good reason right?

 

Firstly I picked up a Scorpion exhaust and mid pipe. Now, I said I wouldn't do this, but you can't have a gorgeous V6 engine and not make the absolute most of it. Plus this exhaust came up locally and it would have been a crime not to have it, plus all it needed was a bit of elbow grease and a tube of this:

 

 

Turning this...

 

 

Into this:

 

 

I then took the car to Infinity Exhausts in Bristol.. I would normally do this myself, but I'd read on here that sometimes the Scorpion exhausts may not hang 100% perfectly - So I made sure that any amendments could easily be made to ensure everything was 'just right'.

 

 

It sounds lovely, about the same noise level at lower RPM's compared to standard, but really opens up at 4k+. Perfect!

 

[/media]

 

Then (again like almost everyone else on the forum!) I fitted a set of chromed indicator bulbs, however what should have been an easy job turned into a mini-nightmare after the already-loose stock bulb fell into the headlight unit when I went to remove it!

 

 

Whip the headlight out I thought, a couple of bolts - Easy! Well, not on a Z it turns out... It's an undertray/bumper off job, ouch..

 

After considerable cursing I hatched a cunning plan, one which my entire engineering career had led up too...

 

 

What you are looking at there gentleman... is my aerial, with an iPhone cabled taped to it, which in turn was fitted with a 'ball' of double sided sticky tape - A fishing rod, essentially. Going in through the indicator bulb hole, after several attempts and many choice words I finally managed to fish it out!

 

Which gave me the following transformation!

 

 

 

It cleans up the front of the car so much, if you've not done it already - Go, go and do it now!

 

Now, despite my stock aerial proving it's usefulness at bulb retrieval, it doesn't exactly look sleek, so a Honda RDX one was ordered and fitted.

 

 

This was accompanied by a front and rear set of 20/25mm spaces from Tarmac Sportz

 

 

(I'd actually had these fitted prior to this photo but forgot to take a picture, here I'm removing them to coat the faces in copper slip)

 

...and a set of Nissan OEM LED rear tail lights, probably one of my favourite changes to the car so far!

 

 

So after all of that, the car more than deserved a good clean!

 

 

Isn't it lovely?!

 

 

I'll get some proper pictures of it soon, at the moment I'm just too busy driving it and enjoying it!

 

Anyway, thanks for reading even though I'm sure you've read exactly the same thing hundreds of times on this forum! C&C welcome!

Edited October 31, 2015 by RyanT

[veilside z]

Coming along nicely.

[ChrisB]